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CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - If one undisputed strength of the Illinois team emerged in the days before it ran into Penn State on Saturday, it was the play of its big and experienced defensive line.

But as the Nittany Lions began to roll in their 35-7 Big Ten-opening win over the Illini at Memorial Stadium, it became clear that the dominant line in the game wasn't the one trying to lead the Illinois defense.

For the fourth consecutive week, the Nittany Lions' offensive line controlled the action in the trenches, opening holes for a punishing running game that ran the ball 49 times into the heart of the Illini's struggling defense.

"We challenged them all week and told them this was the strength of the Illinois team. And so far, for the most part, these kids have been up to the challenge."

Take away the three sacks of Nittany Lions quarterback Matt McGloin, which O'Brien said were as much due to the blitz packages of the Illini as they were the play of the line, and Penn State rushed for 207 yards.

But even more telling than the statistics was the physical style of offense the Nittany Lions promoted up front. In the opening-day loss to Ohio, Penn State rushed just 22 times, a number that more than doubled as it ran its winning streak to three games.

"It was a good game for us," guard John Urschel said. "You obviously have to be balanced between run blocking and pass blocking, but every lineman loves to run block. We certainly gained some confidence to put up some yards on them, especially considering that may be the best defensive line in the Big Ten, excluding ours."

So close

It was a play similar to the one that changed the course of Super Bowl XLIII. Time was running out in the first half. A star linebacker faked a rush near the goal line and dropped into pass coverage. The quarterback threw a pass and didn't see him cutting in front of a receiver. And just like James Harrison did against the Arizona Cardinals, Michael Mauti caught the pass and sprinted up the sideline.

The difference is, Harrison scored on that play in the Super Bowl, leading the Pittsburgh Steelers to a 27-23 win. Mauti ran out of steam and was run down and tripped up by Illinois backup quarterback Miles Osei at the Illini 1-yard line.

Sam Ficken would end up having an 18-yard field goal blocked, but Mauti's return stood as a rallying point for the most of the team. For his part, though, Mauti only walked away with disappointment.

"Ninety-nine yards without a touchdown. That one's going to hurt. That one's going to haunt my dreams," Mauti said, shaking his head. "Especially considering we didn't get any points out of it."

O'Brien said there was a simple reason he opted to try a field goal instead of taking one last shot at the end zone with one second left in the half: He thought the ball was placed at the 2-yard line, not the 1, where it was placed after review.

"Hindsight being 20-20, I should have gone for a touchdown there," O'Brien said. "I take the blame for that. We have to execute better on the field goal, but from the 1-yard line, we've got to punch it in there."

Mauti joked that, had there been more time to do so, he'd have petitioned to be given the ball on a handoff to finish off the drive himself.

Hard running

Running backs Zach Zwinak and Bill Belton combined for 165 yards on 35 carries, and Zwinak bowled his way through an overpowered Illinois defense to Penn State's first 100-yard rushing game since Silas Redd did it against the Illini on Oct. 29.

"I didn't know he had that in him," Urschel said. "I knew he was running hard last week, but this week, he took it to a whole different level. He was really impressive, and that was great to see as an offensive lineman, him just punishing the defense."

In his first action since spraining his ankle in the opener against Ohio, Belton piled up 65 yards on 16 carries.

Illini ejected

Illinois safety Earnest Thomas found out just how much a point of emphasis helmet-to-helmet contact is among Big Ten officials.

The sophomore safety blasted Penn State tight end Matt Lehman after his 21-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter put the Nittany Lions ahead by three touchdowns, taking several steps, leading with the crown of his helmet and launching himself toward Lehman's facemask after the officials signaled for a touchdown.

Thomas was penalized 15 yards for a personal foul and ejected from the game. O'Brien said Lehman had the wind knocked out of him and was able to return, but Lehman admitted he didn't see the hit coming and feared he may have had a concussion in the immediate aftermath.

Feeling blue

After being crushed for the second consecutive week at Memorial Stadium, this time to a Penn State team that publicly targeted them, the Illini are insisting their season isn't on the verge of shambles.

Just 46,734 fans were in attendance, a number many felt was higher than the actual crowd in the seats, and Illini coach Tim Beckman acknowledged his team needs to be more physical to start turning its fortunes around.

"Disappointed is the least word, I guess you could say," Beckman said. "I know our football team is hurting. It's time to step up and see what this football team is all about and move forward."

Nittany notes

Penn State is 3-0 all-time in Big Ten openers against the Illini. ...McGloin's touchdown pass to Lehman was the 32nd of his career, moving him past Anthony Morelli and into seventh place on Penn State's career touchdown passes list. ... McGloin's 200-yard passing game was the 11th of his career, tying him with Morelli, Tony Sacca and Chuck Fusina for fourth-best in program history. ... The Nittany Lions have outscored opponents 76-9 in the first half this season.

Contact the writer: dcollins@timesshamrock.com

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